Iowa law sets public meeting and record access rules

Government bodies give notice of meetings and tentative agendas, using listed public notice channels. The notice covers each meeting, including a reconvened meeting, and its tentative agenda. Bodies post notice online when they have an applicable primary site or internet presence. If a body changes a posted agenda within the period set elsewhere in the law, it marks the agenda “AMENDED,” identifies the changes, and gives notice again.

Lawful custodians handle requests to examine or copy public records, and may charge reasonable fees and expenses. These provisions cover requests to examine or copy public records and fees charged by the lawful custodian. Custodians accept written, telephone, and electronic copy requests and cannot require requesters to be physically present. A county recorder charges no examination or copying fee for records needed to complete and file veterans benefit claims. Necessary expenses must be communicated when the custodian receives a request. Payment may be required before the custodian fulfills it.

The law lists certain information about a government worker who resigns or is discharged. The information concerns an individual who resigned or was discharged from a government body as an employee, contractor, or appointee. The listed information applies whether or not it appears in a written document, contract, agreement, or other arrangement.

A district court may limit a requester’s access to records from a specific government body. The court may act only on requests to that body that meet the law’s definition of vexatious conduct, such as requests primarily designed to harass or that impose a proven unreasonable burden and substantially interfere with essential operations. The government body must give reasonable notice, and a court must find every listed condition based on clear and convincing evidence, including that less restrictive steps are inadequate. A large volume of requests alone is not vexatious conduct when made by a person or a representative of the news media. If a court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the requester did not engage in a pattern of vexatious conduct, it must order the government body to pay the requester’s costs and reasonable attorney fees. The court holds a hearing after reasonable notice before deciding whether to issue an injunction or set limits.